Review of The Smiths by Mick Middles (source unknown)

 

The Smiths. Mick Middles £5.95 Ominbus Press.

In this book, Middles (hurst) states that when approaching The Smiths pertaining writing it, he came up against a wall of silence. So, this is probably an unauthorised version and that's problem number one. Problem number two is that Middles is a Mancunian and perhaps he's too close to the ’heart’ of it all, it's like the rise of the lads-next-door, although not all his remarks are complimentary of course. So would an outsiders view solve the problem? I doubt it, but there has to be a middle ground somewhere. In his introduction, Middles calls the book a "document" and goes on to state that any "trivia" on The Smiths would make the music inrelevant. He cites the "What Difference Does It Make?" different cover as "trivia", even though the original cover made the single a rare item.

This is'nt trivia, it’s old information, as is the giving away of Johnny Marr’s real name of which Middles tries to con you into believing that he did the detective work on this when in fact it was Time Out magazine's Simon Garfield (March 1985) when mentioning Cornell Woolrich's book, "Rendezvous In Black (thanks Jo) People like reading "trivia" in the same way as they like hearing gossip, it’s all part of the game. There are many incorrect - lines, which I fail to understand why. He states that the book Morrissey wrote during his bedsit days, "James Dean Is Dead" (incorrect, title) never surfaced. Not so, as I have a copy (printed by Babylon). In fact during The Face interview (June 1984) Morrissey states that he hated the cash in of the book. John Muir of Todmorden, who originally published it denied Babylon's republishing and said that Morrissey's book was (also) an unauthorised publication. Middles says that Morrissey in pre-Smith days never worked when he worked for the Civil Service and in a record shop. Reguarding Johnny Marr, Middles says that although Marr had spent years playing and writing, he'd never actually formed a group. There was a group with Marr and another Mancunian guitarist who has since gone onto bigger things too. There is no mention of David Jensen, producer John Porter or how The Smiths went on to produce themselves. The filming of the "Sight And Sound" concert at Leicester University was an "In Concert" recording for "Whistle Test" filmed at Derby. There is a ouote from "William, It Was Really Nothing" which belongs to "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" and the "Top Of The Pops" appearance for "How Soon Is Now?" was after the release of the "Meat Is Murder" album. Lastly, the 1985 British tour opened at Chippenham and not Brixton. Oh, but this is all trivia dear readers.

Although Middles wants to make it clear that this is not your average rock book, that's just what it is, as it details yearly events in an almost diary fashion. Nothing wrong with that, only he should'nt have tried to cloud the issue at hand! Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke are only occasionally mentioned and Middles found them "Questioning why their pockets were still empty." Johnny Marr, with his old (McGuinn) Rickenbacker was found to be "Embarrassed by sucess" which I doubt very much. How could he be? This was what he'd always wanted. As for the style of writing/journalism, the best parts come early on when he draws you into a pre-Smiths buzzing Manchester of 1977 and goes on to detail Morrissey's exsistence and involvement with The Hacienda, stints as a would be journalist, the group Ludus and up to the meeting with Johnny Marr. For the most part however, Middles relies on direct quotes from the music cress, some fanzines and a few 'close' associates, and he tends to lose his way.

I found the quotes from "fans" unecessary, especially those of Janice Long, perhaps Middles had'nt known she called Morrissey a bigmouth? Ro Newton's contribution was patronising as she put's down followers for being in the foreground before The Smiths she want's to know how long it will be before Morrissey "Northern W.C. subculture to fuel his quills" upon. You live in Manchester to write Morrissey-esque. I found the addition of the Easterhouse quote totally out of context. Middles is a campaigner for the group, but as it does'nt say where the said incident took place, it seems a somewhat sour note. Was it only included because of their 'association' (or lack of) with The Smiths? The Dave McCulloch Mini-Chapter is interesting and to the point, but I'd rather make no comment here about it. On the plus side - Middles accounts of the logistics of performing in big venues, his tale of the shy but alarmingly forceful nature of Morrissey and the use of some great photographs, many of which have previously been unpublished. On the negative side - the Nick Kent 'incident'. The whole story of this is so confusing, and frankly, quite sad that I feel everyone should make their own judgement on this, but I agree/disagree on the journalistic/media policy.

Middles has obviously done some homework, but what point is he actually making? Morrissey for one is presented in a series of old -cliches trotted out for the umpteenth time. At the end, there is no 'point’ to be found, only a few point-ers. I do not doubt Middies sincerity though - which maybe is the whole point.

Was it a chocolate smudged window or a Devils Advocate though?

(Mick Middles is the editor of Muze Magazine)